Reform could break Medicaid system

For many folks reading this, the recent vote to pass sweeping health care reform legislation was a great thing. For others, it was terrible. I voted against the legislation and I owe it to folks on both sides to explain why.

During the process, I heard from thousands of my constituents who were on opposite sides of this issue. I want them to know that, whether or not they are happy with my vote, I listened to what they had to say and carefully considered this decision.

I also heard from extremist organizations, from both the left and the right, and I want everyone in the 12th District to know that their promises of help or threats of harm did not influence me in any way. It was from listening to folks at my “Congress on the Corner” meetings and meetings with the health care providers across the district that I reached this decision, not because one group or another flooded my office with calls and faxes from New Jersey or Arkansas or California or Texas. The only interests I’m concerned about are those of the people of the 12th District.

Here’s what my vote came down to: I thought the legislation was going to cost working folks too much money in increased taxes, and I didn’t think it was going to do enough to make the insurance companies change their stripes. It also threatens to overwhelm Medicaid in rural areas, because it’s going to grow the number of patients on Medicaid at the very time that health care providers are dropping Medicaid patients.

I wholeheartedly support the goal of extending coverage to those who can’t afford it, and growing Medicaid is a key feature of that goal. But over 100,000 people will be joining a system here in Georgia that’s already at its limits. We have to fix Medicaid before we grow it, or we’re going to break it. It won’t break down everywhere, and it won’t be obvious where it has broken down: When doctors no longer take Medicaid patients, the rest of us won’t notice. Only the ones we thought we were helping will notice. They’ll have a card, but it won’t do them any good.

That’s why we need to make sure that the number of Medicaid doctors is growing, not shrinking, before we grow the ranks of Medicaid patients, or we will be hurting people in some areas while we are helping people in other areas.

The legislation acknowledges this problem with programs to encourage new doctors to move into areas where Medicaid doctors are already pulling out. But these proposals won’t kick in fast enough to take up the slack. The result is that, in many areas, things will get worse before they get better, and that’s just not fair.

Now that the bill has passed, this is not the time to talk about what could have been. We need to redouble efforts to get doctors to the areas that need them — with incentives and the facilities they need to get their jobs done. We need to make sure that Medicaid can handle the influx of new patients, and that doctors are ready and able to treat them by reimbursing them at levels they need.

It wasn’t easy opposing this legislation, especially because I think we could have done much better at less cost. However, I understand where my colleagues who voted for it were coming from. They thought they were doing best by their constituents, as I did.

In the days leading up to the vote, we witnessed ugliness at a level we’ve not seen in decades. Congressman John Lewis, one of my heroes, and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, were the victims of racial slurs and taunts, and one of my friends, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, was spat upon.

As someone who has marched with John Lewis to commemorate the gains that he made possible for all of us, I’m disgusted by anyone who would inject race into this issue, whether it’s the race of our president, or the race of those who will be getting the help they need.

The people who need help are white and black, urban and rural, and they’re all children of God. Everyone has an opinion on this issue, but no matter how right anyone may think they are, that’s never a reason to turn to hate. I hope everyone will reflect on that in the days and weeks ahead.

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Barrow promised to support Obama's agenda when he rode Obama's coat tails into office in Nov 2008. He lied. He will need all the Republican help he can get in the upcoming election--cause he won't get it from most local Democrats.

Might I suggest sponsoring a bill that would offer to pay for all or a portion of a med student's education and/or student loans in exchange for a few years service in a rural or urban health clinic or hospital? I'd also suggest coming up with some money to offer to any and all universities who want to start up or expand their medical programs?

Create a system where anyone and everyone who can make the grades can go to med school for free in exchange for service. It's a win-win for everyone.

Rep. Barrow, you are really good at "specifics" about what you disagree with about the bill, but what "specifics" can you, or DID you, suggest could make this legislation work better. I really don't think you have any, so now you can campaign to promise to make the bill better. . . isn't it so nice to "have your cake and eat it too." Oh, and by the way . . Congress on the Corners are nice in the rural areas, but a public Town Hall in Savannah would have been nice.

I thought the first portion of your suggestion WAS in the bill, or at least it was in the beginning. The BlueDogs and Republicans probably whittled it away to nothing like the Public Option . . . but still I'd like to know if it is still in the final bill. (Lot's of good stuff was taken out, and now they want to complain that the bill is no good.)

Not sure if it's in there or not. I do know they increased funding to the clinics by double on request of Bernie Sanders. Not sure about paying for med students schooling in exchange for service in rural/urban areas. I'll check it out and get back.

I could/would have done a thousand things better - I just continue to think of those hundreds of thousands that could use the health care as the congressmen do. I still wonder how much influence $500.000 of contributions from the health industry could make in a vote,

--"We need to make sure that Medicaid can handle the influx of new patients, and that doctors are ready and able to treat them by reimbursing them at levels they need."-- So the only way to do this, Mr. Barrow, is to pay them more? I remember not too many years ago, we were all sitting around complaining that doctor's got paid exorbitant amounts of money, and didn't do diddly. They don't listen to us, and they just get out their prescription pads, and how many of us have been desperately seeking "alternative" doctors who don't think they are gods. Now all of a sudden, all we hear is that we have the best health care system in the world, and our doctors are struggling to make ends meet. The last time I saw my doctor, he was driving around in a Hummer. Hey, Mr. Barrow, it may take a few years to readjust this system, but I am willing to wait. What I am NOT willing to wait for is you figuring out what needs to be done . . . . you had your chance last summer on the Energy and Commerce Committee to help write this bill . . . . and all you did was vote NO.

So now it's because of the medicaid people not being able to get care is why you voted no. Let's see, the last statement you gave to Savannah Morning News, it was because there was no public option. Before that it was because you wanted to make sure abortions wouldn't be paid for. I've heard of many other reasons you gave but since they are second hand I won't mention them. Just the three that I know for absolute sure you've said. As for listening to your constituents, that's a bit of a farce isn't it. You carefully selected which of them you would listen to. You were asked several times to have a town hall meeting in Savannah and you would not. You chose instead to have an invitation only meeting with a few. Maybe we have different ideas of what listening to them all means because my idea is not closing yourself off from the people of Savannah. Who exactly in Savannah did you listen to? Why not just own up to the fact that you were going to vote no from the beginning. That no matter what was or wasn't in the bill would make no difference. You, like many others, had and do not have constructive ideas. The only goal was to "just say no". Why not tell us all what your ideas are to solve the problems of the health care system. I've yet to hear you give even one idea. Perhaps you gave one at your closed savannah town hall meeting? Yes, I agree that the racial slurs were totally out of line. But I do have to ask, did you speak out against it in a public setting? If you did, I must have missed it. Did you walk thru the protestors (I call them a mob) with the black friends you spoke of in your piece? No matter if your political views were different, if they are your friends you stand shoulder to shoulder against what is wrong. I don't recall seeing you. I'm sure you did get calls from people not even living in Georgia, as most likely many representatives got calls from people out of their districts and states. That is still no reason for you to not have met with the people of Savannah. I feel I cannot trust you. Many others feel the same way. You have not been honest with your constituents and I feel you are still not being honest. I am not one that just accepts that all politicians are dishonest. That's a cop out statement and if it's true then we need to change how we do political business in this country. I will fight to see it changed. That's all I have to say to you. You can take it at face value which is exactly how it was meant.

You had not problem going to 12th District urban cities and African American churches and lying to our faces. It is obvious since you have not kept your word to support now President Obama. I was among a number of voters in Savannah who asked you to have a public town hall meeting. You used the excuse that you had to check with your scheduler as if you are accountable to the scheduler. You hired the scheduler and that person is accountable to you. What you did is have meeting with “Congress on the Corner” meetings, "invitation only" meeting and meetings with the health care providers and ignored with a different view than yours. You paid more attention to a limited number of constituents and those who get paid by the insurance providers.

You told the African American community leaders that you were only interested 60% people in the district are in the rural communities which left out the 40%people of the district in the urban communities. The urban communities have a large population of African Americans and other minorities while the rural areas do not. We were important to you when you needed our votes to go back to Washington, but now you think you do need up.

I experienced you September 2 at the Georgia Coastal Center and heard you talk out of the other side of your mouth from what you said in the black churches. I heard you say you were only interested in the 85% with health insurance and that you felt that you thought the health insurance industry had not been given a fair chance. When I told you what I heard you say, you told me that I didn't hear you right. When I told you, I did understand, you then tried to tell me what you meant. I have seen you that use this strategy at other times and you would say what you thought the person wanted to hear. I have gone to the Washington Post and checked out your voting record, I saw that you vote a lot with the Republicans.

It is obvious that you only care about the people in your district who are like you and those who are different than you have little chance for support from you.

The claim that Medicaid would be hindered by the new insurance reform regulations is untrue.

1. The people most affected by Reform (for the better, might I add) are middle-class, working people who cannot afford, or not offered health insurance by employers:http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/03/who_does_health-care_reform_he.html

3.The Bill (through the Bernie Sanders Amendment) would allocate 12.5 billion to the creation or funding of Health Care Centers in Rural or needy areas...obviously Medicaid patients (now extended to those earning 133% of poverty) will now have more access, with improved facilities, using newer technology: 31 New Facilities in this district alone: http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/health_care/districts/new/GA12...

You could at least have voted for the Reconciliation Fixes Bill, which increased the appopriations from 10B to 12.5B (B for Billions) for the previously mentioned Health Care Centers. But, a "NO" vote against Health Care (4 TIMES) and against the 1st of many amendments, further improving the Bill...for a total 5 "NO" votes against Health Insurance/Care Reform! It only passed with 216 in the House...not a vote to spare. Every Republican voted against it....including their newest member....John Barrow!

Now with a serious primary battle on the horizon, you want to try to placate us with yet ANOTHER LIE?!?! And you wonder why support in Chatham and the other counties have shifted towards Fmr. State Senator, Regina Thomas? You are not the voice of the people, just a voice for the Corporations lining your pockets. While she is running a completely grassroots donated campaign, your VOTES continue to be BOUGHT and SOLD! She'll need the help of the PEOPLE, which I see you're counting against!

My group worked tirelessly for Barrow , it seems that every promise he made to us was a lie. When we happen to run into him looks sheepish and tired from all the lying he has done. His justifications means nothing to me. His vote told the story.

I agree with other posters that your vote against the health care bill was purely a political move on your part. There are many provisions in this bill that could help your constituents in both the rural and urban areas. I do not agree that it is too expensive or that it will hurt medicaid patients, because there are increased funds to medicaid in the bill meant specifically to address these issues. I know the insurance companies are going to try to fight this thing tooth and nail. On top of that, the governor and state legislature in all their wisdom are planning to try to sue the federal government over health care mandates as if they aren't currently in a budget crisis that is going to gut many needed state sponsored programs and slash spending for education in public schools and colleges and raise tuition at a time when so many students and their parents are struggling with what they have to pay now. Where is all the money for this fancy law suit going to come from I'd like to know? Why is it that politicians always seem to find plenty of money when it comes to scoring political points? Whatever happened to finding the money when it came to helping out the people you were elected to serve?
What I see in the newly passed health care bill is a chance to find the money to do just that. It has always been found to fund more wars. It has always been found to cut more taxes. It needs to be found when it comes to helping people who won't get the care that they need by any other means and they need public servants who are willing to fight for them, Mr. Barrow, which is why I am supporting Regina Thomas in the primary.

No anger here, just a lot of disappointment that you forgot who you represent. You had no problem putting yourself out there when you needed votes, but your cowardly refusal to hold a town hall and listen to the people who voted for you on the most important piece of congressional legislation in over 40 years speaks volumes.

MR. BARROW ... I really suggest that you READ our responses to you here on the Savannah Now website ... you, sir, are a SHAM ... thus, you should really now be considered a representative of the Faux and FOLLY!

Interesting that Savannah doesn't seem to be willing to forgive you (for clearly NOT REPRESENTING ALL of US AT ALL)

I certainly do NOT forgive you!

You were obviously NEVER listening to any of us on the other side from the horrible Edwards-Tea-Klux-Protestors that met and scared you so terribly outside of your office! You have truly proven to me that you are simply a shill-Republican with this vote of NO!

Thinks he was elected by the people of Effingham, Bulloch and Screven counties. He was not. I think he got a total of 2600 votes in Effingham! He was elected by the people of Savannah and Augusta and he should have been smart enough to know that.

How many 'Congress on the Corner' meetings and whatnot did he have in the rural counties? Many. WAY more than he had in SAV or AUG. That should tell you where his priorities lay.

I should mention that Barrow lost me when he came to Lovett's out on McCall road and told the crowd gathered there at one of his little 'Congress on the Corner' speeches that he thought we should just nuke Iran! He said something to the effect of, 'I think we should nuke them and nuke them now! We should nuke them before they can develop a bomb of their own!'

World's largest non nuclear bomb that can penetrate up to 100 ft into an underground structure then detonate. Without a doubt we need to drop a few of those on strategic sites in Iran. They will be ready to deploy on B52s some time this year, and were cleared for production and use by congress October 2009. The people of Iraq have voiced their voice for change, and definitely suffering at the hands of a tyrannical , so-called president. To nuke Iran would be, or any other country would be wrong, but strategic strikes at the nuclear hearts of certain countries is absolutely necessary in my opinion.

After reading all these comments it's apparent that many folks are upset that you did not vote the straight party line. What many of these people don't realize is that what might be good for California might not be good for Georgia. I see that Congressman Marshall and many others joined you with concerns for legislation. Does that make you and the others a 'shill' ? I think not. Webster defines statesman as " a person who shows wisdom, skill, and vision in conducting state affairs and dealing with public issues". Those lemmings who followed the California leadership 'just because' and didn't vote for the good of their constituents and the Nation are the 'shills'. Neither a Democrat or a Republican this Independent considers you a "STATESMAN". When election comes this ballot will be proudly be cast for John Barrow.
Thank You Sir.

Problem with that is, even the Pentagon admits it's not likely to work. Maybe delay slightly, but not stop their program. Plus, it would lead to a whole bunch of unintended consequences.

Personally, I can't blame Iran for wanting nukes but, it's not entirely clear that that's what their goal is. They are literally being surrounded by the US militarily, we have special ops and CIA working with Al Qaeda affiliated Sunnis militants inside Iran, Israel has been allowed to develop it's own bomb in violation of UN Resolutions and refused to sign the NNPT, and it's been clearly shown that nations who have the bomb get carrots and negotiations (North Korea) while nations that do not (Iraq) get invaded.

We would have been much better off if the Dulles brothers would have cozied up to Iran and Mossadeq in 1953 instead of replacing him with the Shaw. We could have rebuffed the Saudis who are the stewards and financiers of extremist Wahabbi Islamist terror groups including Al Qaeda, and got our oil from a secular, democratic Iran.

Instead, we've been antagonizing the Persians for 60yrs while cozying up to the crazy Wahabbis who use the money we give them for oil to build over 5000 Wahabbi madrassas in the US over the last 30 yrs.

It's time for a paradigm changing shift if US policy toward the middle east and it's major players.

Mr Barrow as another poster said people are mad about the straight party line vote. This is clearly not the case. Mr Barrow did not even come to Savannah to discuss the issue with the people that voted him into office.He is mistaken if he thinks that he will not have a Republican challenger because of his HCR vote.He most likely will not have the support he once did in SAV and AUG the population centers of his district.What amendments did you submit to better the legistlation?Why not give up your government paid for health care?This is the only situation where the employees have better benefits than the employers.